Hotel executive moves: Auberge, Hotel Equities, Hilton, Hyatt

Here is a compilation of the most important executive moves of the past week in the hotel investment world alphabetically (by company):

Auberge names new EVP. Bethesda, Maryland-based Auberge Resorts Collection appointed Mohamed Elbanna as executive vice president of global operations. Elbanna will oversee day-to-day operations across the Auberge portfolio. He has more than two decades of hospitality experience and was previously COO of Fort Partners US. Before that, he worked at Citadel and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Braemar names board member. Dallas-based REIT Braemar Hotels & Resorts has appointed Kellie Sirna to its board of directors, effective immediately. Sirna is the owner and principal of Dallas-headquartered multidisciplinary firm Studio 11 Design and has over two decades of experience in the design industry.

Hilton names VP in MEA. Hilton has named Liz Perkins as vice president of commercial, Middle East and Africa (MEA). She most recently served as vice president of commercial operations Asia Pacific at Hilton and moved to Dubai to take on this new role. Perkins has more than 20 years of revenue management and commercial experience across Asia Pacific, Europe and MEA, including five years at Hilton.

Hospitality America names HR director. Greenville, South Carolina-based Hospitality America has named Adam Bullard as corporate director of human resources. Bullard brings a diverse and dynamic background to Hospitality America. He was a former Minor League Baseball player whose career shifted after an injury; he has since held multiple HR leadership roles across the consulting, manufacturing, and automotive industries. 

HE names VP for CALA region. Atlanta-based Hotel Equities has named Marilia Pergola vice president of operations for the Caribbean and Latin America region. Pergola will be based in the company’s Miami corporate office. She has over 20 years of experience in hotel operations, including the past eight years at Marriott International, where she most recently served as senior director of operations – owner and franchise relations for the CALA region.

Hyatt names new chief HR officer. Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced that after seven years with the company, Malaika Myers will retire as chief human resources officer at the end of May. Hyatt said Kristin Oliver will succeed Myers, effective May 12. Oliver joins Hyatt after 15 years of HR leadership experience at major consumer brands, including HanesBrands, Walgreens, Chico’s, and Walmart.

New VP for Lodging Dynamics. Provo, Utah-based Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group has appointed Kristie Byrd as vice president of sales. Byrd brings over 29 years of hospitality experience to the position, with an extensive sales strategy and leadership background across independent, lifestyle, full-service, extended stay and select-service hotels. Her experience spans work with major hospitality brands, including Marriott, Hilton, Choice, Hyatt and IHG.

Maya names new director. Charlotte-based Maya Hotels has promoted Amber Maccari to director of commercial performance. She joined Maya Hotels in May 2023 as director of revenue management. Maccari’s hospitality career includes 13 years at IHG Hotels & Resorts and she also worked at Ehrhardt Hospitality.

McNeill names regional director. Germantown, Tennessee-based McNeill Hotel Company has named Katelyn Wiersma as regional director of sales. She has more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry and most recently worked at Springwood Hospitality as opening/area director, sales and new hotel development associate. She also worked at Hawkeye Hotels and Sage Hospitality.

Minor names new VP in APAC. Bangkok-based Minor Hotels has appointed Shobhit Khattri as associate vice president of development for India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. With over 17 years of experience in hospitality development, Khattri began his career with The Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. and later joined IHG.

Pyramid adds senior director. Boston-based Pyramid Global Hospitality has added Nandanie Persaud-Veeren to its PyramidWorks division as senior director of business development. With over two decades of experience in office and facilities management, Persaud-Veeren most recently she served as senior manager of workplace experience at CBRE. She also worked at Ernst & Young.

New CFO for Time Hotels. Dubai-based Time Hotels has promoted Soumitra Saha to CFO. A chartered accountant with over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Saha joined Time Hotels in 2022 as vice president of finance, where he brought a wealth of industry expertise following roles with companies including Oberoi, Leela Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt and Movenpick.